1 Corinthians 15:29-34

This passage is about the lifestyle of believers in Christ given the resurrection from the dead.  But to see this clearly we must consider the meaning of baptism for the dead in 15:29.  Since 1840 Mormons have engaged in a practice where they adopt the name of a dead person and are then baptized for that person, fulfilling salvation requirements for that person so that they have greater benefits in the afterlife.  There are many proposed explanations of this passage but what all orthodox Christians agree is that the Mormon idea (which was also practiced by early Gnostic heretics) is false.  Salvation is never dependent on works, not even baptism (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:28; 4:3; 6:3-4, etc); nor is spiritual change after death possible (Heb. 9:27; Luke 16:24-25).  This eliminates proxy baptism as well as prayers for the dead, purgatory and the requiem mass for the dead in the Roman Catholic Church.  But what does the passage mean?

·        Perhaps there was a Greek cult practicing proxy baptism and Paul is saying even they believe in the resurrection. (There is no evidence of such a group.)

·        Perhaps he speaks of all baptism since it is evidence of dying with Christ.  (But they seems to indicate someone other than the Corinthian believers.)

·        Perhaps it refers to people baptized for those near death and too weak to be baptized.  (Calvin held this though there is no evidence of this practice.)

·        Perhaps it refers to the practice of having baptisms over graves.  (There was evidence of this but not in Paul’s time.)

·        Perhaps Paul is asking, why are people being baptized for a dead Man which is the case if Christ is not raised?

·        Perhaps he refers to people brought to Christ by the fear aroused by the death of disobedient Christians.  (Matthew Henry held this view.)

·        Perhaps it refers to the testimony water baptism gives to observers who are spiritually dead.  (John MacArthur’s Study Bible reflects this view.)

·        I believe it refers to baptism of fire, persecution which took place before those who were spiritually dead.  It fits the context of 15:30-32; they are some Christians; and it fits the dead (v34).  Christ used baptism in this way (Matt. 20:22; Lk. 12:50).  Stephen’s testimony before the dead Saul fits this idea.

The argument then is: Why are believers being persecuted for Christ if the dead don’t rise (v29)?  Why do we put ourselves in constant danger (v30)?  Paul says, I DID DAILY!  In fact he had fought with the beasts in Ephesus (which Scripture does not record but tradition affirms).  In the end, if there is no resurrection then why suffer; why not rather just eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!  

Don’t get hung up on the difficult passage.  Recognize the clear teaching: the hope of the resurrection impacts the way we think and live now.  Awake to righteousness, and do not sin.  Live the resurrection life in front of those who do not have the knowledge of God.  Let us not be ashamed!